Microwave-assisted graft synthesis and characterization of poly(methacrylic acid)-grafted polyethersulfone towards dense hydrophilic and low-fouling membranes for water treatment

Herein, we report on a fast route of microwave-assisted synthesis for powder composites towards robust and ultralow-fouling polymethacrylic acid (PMAA)-grafted polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. The grafting was confirmed by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). Microfiltration membranes were then prepared from the powder composites by phase inversion method. The effect of PMAA grafting on the morphology of the membranes was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) topological analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface and cross-sectional interrogation. These showed insignificant increase in surface roughness and variable morphological changes with increased degree of grafting, respectively. Hydrophilicity, protein rejection, anti-fouling and properties were also enhanced due to grafting. Potential use of these low fouling membranes exists in water treatment and protein separation.